Israeli officials are facing backlash after years of Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu quietly allowing Hamas to remain in power.

But reporting in the New York Times has revealed that Netanyahu’s government was more hands-on about helping Hamas: they helped a Qatari diplomat bring suitcases of cash into Gaza, indirectly boosting the militant organization, according to the report.

The calculus — the Times reported on Sunday, citing Israeli officials, Netanyahu’s critics, and the man’s own reported statements — was to keep Hamas strong enough to counteract the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, allowing Netanyahu to avoid a two-state peace solution and keep both sides weak.

Israeli security officials got it wrong; they didn’t think Hamas was capable, or even interested, in launching a large attack against the Jewish state.

      • ???@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Everyone can already see why they are worse than every other nation at war so far. They’ve even exceeded the damage from the Dresden carpet bombings

        • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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          1 year ago

          Has it exceeded Rwanda?

          I see 18 412 today which is lower than Myanmar

          (Dresden was 25k)

          • ???@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Are we* going to wait until then before condemning it? 😬

            But yeah apologies, Israel isn’t QUITE full Hitler yet.

                • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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                  1 year ago

                  It’s really not, unless you feel it’s impossible to argue that side in good faith

                  I feel I can be Pro-Palestine in good faith so I have to call out those who aren’t. Otherwise my side won’t be taken seriously